Review of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Linn

Nalini Sofia, H∗, Thomas M.Walter∗∗

Introduction
Liquorice has been used in medicine for more than 4000 years. The earliest
record of its use in medicine is found in ‘code Humnubari’ (2100 BC). It was also one of
the important plants mentioned in Assyrian herbal (2000BC). Hippocrates (400BC)
mentioned its use as a remedy of ulcers and quenching of thirds. The drug was also
mentioned by Theophrastus and Dioscorides. In traditional Siddha system of medicine,
liquorice is used as a demulcent, expectorant, anti-tussive, laxative and sweetener.

Synonym
Loquiritae officinalis Mo ench

Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledoneae
Order: Rosales
Family: Leguminosae
Genus: Glycyrrhiza
Species: glabra Linn

Vernacular names
Sanskrit: Yashti-madhuh. Madhuka
Bengali: Jashtimadhu, Jaishbomodhu
Gujarat: Jethimadhu
Hindi: Jothi-madh, Mulhatti
Kannada: Yastimadhuka, atimaddhura
∗
Siddha Physician, Chennai, India. dr.nalinisofia@gmail.com
∗∗
Asst. Lecturer (Selection Grade), P.G. Dept of Gunapadam (Pharmacology), Govt. Siddha Medical
College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu, India. dr.thomaswalter@gmail.com
 Malayalam: Iratimadhuram
Marathi: Jeshtamadha
Oriya: Jatimadhu
Tamil: Atimaduram
Telugu: Atimadhuranu, Yashtimadhukam
English: Licorice, Liquorice, Sweet wood
Arab: Aslussiesa
Persia: Ausareha mahaka
France: Boisdoux
Germany: Sussholz

Geographical distribution

Native to central and south western Asia and the Mediterranean region. It is
cultivated in the Mediterranean is basin of Africa, in South Europe and in India.
Genetics
Glycyrrhiza glabra is a diploid with 2n=16.
Habitat
Glycyrrhiza glabra is a hard herb or under shrub attaining a height up to 6ft;
leaves multifoliate, imparipinnate, flowers in axillary spikes, papilinaceous, lavender to
violet in colour, pods compressed, and containing reniform seeds. The dried, peeled or
un peeled underground stems and roots constitute the drug, known in the trade as
Liquorice. Flowers in March and fruits in August.
Part used
Root and Rhizomes
Phyto chemistry
The major bio-active constituent of rhizomes is a triterpenoids saponin
glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid, glabrin A&B, glycyrrhetol, glabrolide, isoglabrolide,
isoflavones,coumarins, triterpene sterols etc.

Physical properties
Total ash Not more than 7%
Acid insoluble ash Not more than 2%
Sulfated ash Not more than 10%
Water soluble extractive Not less than 20%
Diluted alcohol-soluble
extractive Not less than 25%
Moisture 5.25%
Ether extracts 16.85%
Albuminoids 37.00 %( containing nitrogen5.92%)
Soluble carbohydrates 31.00%
Woody fiber 5.05%
Ash 4.80 %( containing sand 0.25%)

Substitutes or adulterants
Manchurian licorice is obtained from glycyrrhiza uralensis. Being a substitute it
dose contain glycyrrhizin the active principle but very little of free sugars. The common
adulterant is wild licorice also called Indian licorice, derived from the roots of Abrus
precatorious (leguminosae). Microscopically the adulterant is characterized by stone
cells.
Actions
Tonic, demulcent, expectorant, diuretic, mild laxative, anti-arthritic, anti-
inflammatory, anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-ulcer, memory stimulant (being MAO
inhibitor), anti-tussive, aphrodisiac, anti-mytotic, estrogenic, anti-oxidant, anti-caries
agent, anti-neoplastic, anti-cholinergic, anti-diuretic, hypolipidemic activity, etc.

Pharmacokinetic study
The bio availability of glycyrrhizin was much decreased when given in extract
form with equivalent amount of compound, when compared to giving pure compound.
The decoction of the dried rhizome, taken orally by 5 normal adults at a concentration of
5%, reached maximum serum concentration of glycyrrhetic glycoside at 4 hours post
ingestion and was eliminated with in 72 hours. Glycyrrhetic acid reached maximum
serum concentration, 24 hours post ingestion. The highest concentration was 30ng/ml
and excreation was not completed after 96 hours in two of the subjects. In two cases if
pseudo aldosteronism the serum glycyrrhetic acid levels were as high as 70-80ng/ml
while glycosides were quite low. Water extracts of the dried root, administered intra
gastrically to rats at a dose of 6.278gm/kg, was excreted in the bile, reaching maximum
by 8hours after dosing.

Traditional uses
• A decoction of madhuka or its powder was prescribed with honey in
anaemia.
• Yashti mixed with cow’s milk was prescribed for promoting lactation.
• 10g madhuka powder mixed with 10g sugar, pounded with rice water was
prescribed in men-metrorrhagia.
• A confection of rice-milk, prepared with yashtimadhu, was prescribed in
hoarseness of voice.
• Charaka prescribed 10g madhuka powder mixed with honey, followed by
intake of milk, as an aphrodisiac and as an intellect-promoting tonic.
• Charaka also percribed a paste of liquorice and picrorrhiza kurroa with
sugar-water as a cardiac tonic.
 • Charaka datta prescribed yashtimadhu and santalum album, powdered
with milk, in haematemisis.
• Sushruta prescribed the paste of yashtimadhu 10g, in intrinsic
haemorrhage.
• In oedema, the paste of licorice, sesamum indicum and milk mixed with
butter was prescribed.
• Warm clarified butter mixed with licorice, was applied topically on
wounds, bruises and burns.
• A decoction of madhuka was applied on erysipelas.
• Yashti is an important ingredient in Narikelanjana (IMCOPS) eye-drops,
prescribed in both acute and chronic conjunctivitis, and also in blepharitis.
• A decoction of the root is a good wash for falling and greying of hair.

Experimental pharmacology

Glycrrhiza has the following, experimentally proved activities:

• Anti-bacterial activity
• Anti hepato toxic activity
• Estrogenic activity
• Anti fungal activity
• Anti hemorrhoido activity
• Anti hyper glycemic activity
• Anti malarial activity
• Anti oxidant activity
• Immuno stimulatory& Anti viral activity
• Anti ulcer activity

Clinical pharmacology
Glycrrhiza has the following, clinically proved Pharmacological activities:
 • Anti ulcer activity
• Anti asthmatic activity
• Anti diuretic activity
• Anti hepato toxic activity
• Eczema and psoriasis
• Herpes simplex

Side effects
The use of liquorice extract in the treatment of peptic ulcer sometimes appeared to
invoke oedema and other side effects. Many investigations were carried out and it was
shown that glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetetinic acid decreased the out put of ACTH,
reduced urinary excretion of sodium and chloride, increased potassium excretion, reduced
rennin activity and serum aldosterone, elevated blood pressure and induce metabolic
alkalosis with severe hypokalaemia and hypernatremia, capable of causing cardiac arrest.
Clinical investigations revealed sodium retention to be connected to an aberration in
cortisol metabolism in the kidneys, which interferes with 11-β-hydroxy steroid
dehydrogenase. Consumption of licorice or glycyrrhizin in excessive amounts and over a
long period produces pseudo aldostronism leading to oedemo, hypertention, and weight
gain.

Caution
The intake of higher doses (above50g/day) over an extened period (>6weeks) may
cause sodium retention, potassium depletion, hyper tension, cardiac complaints, kidney
disease, obesity, disorders associated with pregnancy and hypo kalaemic alkalosis. It
should not be taken concurrently with cortico steroid treatment. The drug is contra
indicated in patients with a history of hyper tension, renal failure and using digitalis
preparations. It should not be used for longer than 4-6 weeks with out medical advice.

Drug interaction
Because it increases potassium loss, it should not be administered for prolonged
use with thiazide and loop diuretics or cardiac glycosides. Because it reduces sodium and
 water excretion, the effectiveness of drugs used in the treatment of hypertention may be
reduced. It should not be administered in conjunction with spiranolactone or amiloride.

Toxic assessment
Ethanol (30%) extract of the root, administered orally to mice of both sexes,
produced LD50 32.0ml/kg. Water extract of the dried root (48-58% glycyrrhizin),
administered intra peritoneally, orally and subcutaneously to mice and rats, produced
LD50 1.5gm/kg, 16.0gm/kg, and 4.2gm/kg, respectively.

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